Masakage Anryu Aogami Gyuto 240mm

Made of Aogami blue #2 steel and clad in stainless steel this is knife that has the best of both worlds, the joy of carbon but with the easy to care for addition of stainless cladding. This is hand-made knife therefore each one is unique, the hammered finish really is a sight to behold, you can really get a sense of the fact that it was hand-made in a forge. Very thin behind the edge with an excellent grind, but that's what you get from a blacksmith with over 50 years experience!

What we thought about this knife

We have personally tested and reviewed this knife to give you an honest and personal opinion about it and this is how it rates. Remember these scores are a reflection of the company these knives keep, all our knives are great (or we wouldn't sell them) but we can't give them all 5/5. A low score doesn't mean it's a poor knife, it just might be out-trumped by one of our other amazing knives.

4 / 5Overall performance

Aogami blue #2 steel, is considered a very tough steel, not quite as hard as super blue but not as brittle which gives you the perfect knife if you don't want to spend a long time sharpening it. These are very sharp out of the box for the average user but if you want to take them to the stones you can achieve a sharper edge still.

5 / 5Beauty

We can't give these knives anything less than 5, they are beautiful. The hammer marks really give a sense of how the knife was made, in a hot forge by a blacksmith rather than a pristine machine. The handles are quite understated leaving all the cooing to be done over the blade!

5 / 5Durability

Aogami blue #2 is considered a very tough and durable steel, the steel doesn't get as hard as super blue so not as brittle. As is normal with all our knives, treat it with care and it will last a lifetime.

4 / 5Ease of care

The core steel in these knives is carbon which is reactive but with the stainless steel cladding you don't need to worry much. The only part of the carbon core that is exposed is on the edge of the blade. This will patina over time but gives the knife a lovely unique look and in our eyes, becomes part of its history.

All you need to do is wipe, dry and store, don't put it in the dishwasher and don't leave it sat around in the wet. Keep the edge in tip top condition with a go on the ceramic rod every few weeks and every now and again take it to the stones.

4 / 5Comfort

The handles on this range are oval rosewood which makes for a comfortable feel. A little heavier than some of our ranges but you could still use these for a long time without fatigue.

5 / 5Value for money

The blue #2 steel coupled with the great fit and finish makes these knives absolute winners in our eyes. The reputation regarding performance that goes before them makes the price hard to believe.

Our aim is to measure everything as accurately as possible but some specifications (such as hardness for example) are provided by the manufacturer and therefore should be used as a guide only.

What you get with the knife

Beautiful blue fibre boxes with the Masakage logo and name in silver foil on the lid. On the inside you will find a blue stepped inlay and your beautiful knife of course, wrapped in Japanese newspaper by the craftsmen who made it. So while you're not working on your knife skills you can catch up your Japanese language skills. Talk about the gift that keeps on giving...

All our knives also come with free blue plasters just in case you're not ready for the sharpness! If you intend to use your knives regularly then we don't advise you to use the boxes for day to day storage, get a magnetic knife rack instead.

Still need some advice choosing the right knife?

We want you to be happy that you're buying the right knife for your cooking needs so if you're not sure what you need, here are some useful places to start.